Has the weather been a pain in the head recently? The changes in barometric pressure could be to blame. When it comes to getting a migraine from barometric pressure changes, there could be an interesting link at play.
Although the weather is out of your control, that doesn’t mean managing your migraine has to be. Understanding the link between barometric pressure and migraine can help you better manage your condition and lose the fear of weather forecasts.
The link between barometric pressure and migraine
Barometric pressure, atmospheric pressure and air pressure all describe the same measurement. It’s the amount of weight air pushes against everything — and everyone — on Earth. Barometric pressure fluctuates constantly depending on where you are and the weather.
For instance, low-air-pressure areas are typically cloudy, windy and rainy, while high-air-pressure areas generally have clear skies and cool, dry air. We know that weather can trigger migraine, so there could be a reason why you may experience migraine from barometric changes. And your sinuses might be the link.
Our sinuses are interconnected cavities filled with air. Most people have eight sinus cavities in their heads, located above, under and between their eyes and behind their noses and cheeks. While your sinuses may be small, they can cause a lot of discomfort, especially for people prone to migraine.
Typically, the air inside our sinus cavities wants to be at equilibrium with the air outside. However, when there’s an imbalance — known as a sinus squeeze — like a sudden air pressure drop, people with migraine who are sensitive to these changes may experience an attack. This may be due to numerous chain reactions.
For example, decreased barometric pressure may cause your brain’s blood vessels to widen to get more oxygen. This dilation may trigger migraine. Changes in air pressure may also force fluid into your nasal and sinus tissues, resulting in a fluid imbalance, allergy flare-ups and migraine.
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Symptoms of barometric pressure migraine
With these links in mind, we can better understand the symptoms that may accompany a barometric pressure migraine. You may experience the following during a barometric pressure migraine:
- Throbbing pain in the head
- Pain or pressure in the temples or forehead
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Face or neck numbness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Nasal congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Teary eyes
The above symptoms vary from person to person. Knowing your symptoms can help you better manage your migraine from barometric pressure.
Identifying barometric pressure triggers for migraine
Use a migraine diary to help you track and identify whether atmospheric pressure changes are a trigger for your migraine. Whether you prefer a physical journal or an app, be sure to record every detail, which can include:
- Date and time: When and at what time did the migraine attack occur?
- Migraine duration: How long did your migraine attack last?
- Migraine intensity: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the severity of your migraine attack?
- Symptoms experienced: Note your symptoms during each stage of the migraine, from before to after the attack. Highlight any that may correspond to the symptom list above.
- Barometric pressure readings: Whether you use an at-home barometer or a weather app, note any significant pressure changes.
- Weather conditions: What was the weather like? Was it cold and stormy or hot and humid? Did the weather and temperature change suddenly?
- Location: Were you inside or outside a building? Or were you traveling in an airplane? Were you at a higher altitude?
There are more factors you can track to really understand your migraine triggers. You can include specific medicines you took, your sleeping patterns, your stress levels and what you’ve eaten.
How to manage migraine from barometric pressure
If you believe your migraine attacks are linked to barometric pressure changes, there are a few remedies you can try.
Pharmaceutical remedies
From over-the-counter (OTC) to prescription medications, there are many options to consider:
- OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
- OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Anti-nausea medications
- Prescription triptans
- Magnesium oxide supplement
- Vitamin B2 supplement
Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting a new medication.
Home remedies
You can also opt for nonpharmaceutical remedies:
- Apply a hot or cold compress to the neck and head.
- Limit physical exertion or activity.
- Practice relaxation techniques.
- Rest in a quiet, dark room.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated.
- Try external trigeminal neurostimulation (eTNS).
Again, consult a healthcare professional before taking a new medication or trying other remedies to help manage migraine. A migraine specialist can tailor a treatment plan based on your needs and triggers. Your migraine diary can help give these professionals more insight.
How to prevent migraine from barometric pressure
Here are some preventive strategies to help minimize the risk of a barometric pressure migraine from developing:
1. Monitor weather: Use a weather app or barometer to check for sudden changes in air pressure or weather. If you know what to expect, you can better manage your migraine.
2. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can be a trigger, so ensure you drink enough water throughout the day.
3. Sleep consistently: Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule to keep your body resilient and well-rested. Poor sleeping habits are a common migraine trigger.
4. Manage stress: Stress is another common trigger. Opt for stress management techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
5. Use devices: Use eTNS medical devices, like those from CEFALY. These noninvasive, prescription-free wearables can help manage migraine frequency and severity.
6. Eat healthily: Ensure you follow a regular eating pattern filled with nutritious foods to avoid low blood sugar, which could trigger migraine. Avoid certain foods, like alcohol or certain cheeses, that trigger your migraine.
7. Exercise regularly: Find a migraine-friendly exercise routine to help manage your stress levels and cardiovascular health.
8. Avoid triggers: Try to avoid your migraine triggers as much as possible — especially when the weather changes suddenly.
9. Wear sunglasses: Wearing polarized sunglasses while outside may help reduce light sensitivity.
10. Try humidifiers: Try using humidifiers to keep consistent air humidity levels indoors.
While you can’t control the weather, you can manage migraine from barometric pressure changes. Ensure you always have a migraine toolkit wherever you go in case a migraine occurs and you’re not at home.
CEFALY can help no matter the weather
Who would’ve thought that a change in barometric pressure could trigger a chain reaction in our bodies — and induce a migraine? Don’t let the weather report leave you worried. Take control of your migraine management.
CEFALY’s FDA-cleared medical device is clinically proven to target the trigeminal nerve, which is the primary pathway for migraine pain. With its two treatment modes, ACUTE and PREVENT, you can better manage your migraine pain and frequency. About 79% of users saw pain relief — it’s no wonder our device is loved by many.
Try CEFALY Connected today and experience it for yourself!
